TOP brand power bars phase error

Mar 05, 2024 Last reply: 2 years ago 12 Replies
L

Last weekend, I found out that a TOP brand power bar on my bench had been configured with a switched live wire to the neutral pins of its outlets.



This power bar has multi-style plug compatibility, with no UL or CSA safety markings. Will accept European, UK, US etc.



Internally, the plastic extrusion/mold specifically identifies each location ( 'L' , 'N' ) with the reversed phasing. The phasing identity in the wire color coding was correct per IEC brown-live, blue-neutral, grn/yel-earth in the internal wiring and line cord.



Is there a standard 3pin earthed wall plug (Euro UK Asia Oz SA Arg etc) where live/neutral is specified as reverse to the NA 120V 3pin orientation?



NA regulation socket, outside view.



N L



E


TOP hardware socket, outside view.



L N



E


RL


Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
W

It depends on the country/connector style. Germany no polarisation (SCHUKO), other EU may have some. Even SCHUKO Style with an aditional round ground (Swiss, Belgica...) British connectors are very british :]

If you mean 'Kaltgerätestecker',

then look for IEC_60320 C13 female and C14 male.

formatting link
better

formatting link
L N E

So the TOP brand is international correct!

But USA rarely respect international norms :( imperial vs metric :)

formatting link
and

formatting link

Saludos (an alle Vernünftigen, Rest sh. sig) Wolfgang

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
C

An Australian standard GPO (general purpose outlet) viewed from the front has the pin usage shown in your lower arrangement.

formatting link

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
L

The TOP hardware didn't address 60320 type plugs.

I'm looking for polarization standards in female unshrouded sockets.

The 60320 is associated with switches and fuses on both phases, so , polarized or not, the TOP situation wouldn't present an issue.

RL

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
L

So it does , however this isn't one of the patterns that the TOP power bar accepts - only rods or vert/horizontal blades.

RL

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
L

I've got an IRAM standard pattern from Argentina, with angled blades polarization marked opposite to that of the AS/NZS part, but the TOP power bar doesn't accomodate angled blades.

RL

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
L

I guess I've found the answer in wiring phase for the BS1363 - a fairly common polarized and grounded socket used around the British commonwealth.

formatting link
from

formatting link
This this illustrates a fused plug wiring with live wire corresponding to the TOP hardware socket's orientation. (The fuse is sized to protect the cord's wire guage.)

So - multisocket users beware, TOP hardware or otherwise - a plug may fit, but the phasing may not follow.

RL

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
R

That socket is pretty well universal on UK 240v equipment, and coincides with your diagram. What are the kind of sockets that are actually wrongly connected?

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
L

The LNE orientation of the UK standard (web link pohoto and TOP sketch) is reverse that of the NA (sketch) standard NEMA 5-15.

Sockets of 'universal' nature don't take this into account.

RL

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
R

Could they not do so by putting the appropriate shaped earth pin on the opposite side? Might have to be wider.

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
W

No!

Learn Electrotechnic and to quote.

EOD

Saludos (an alle Vernünftigen, Rest sh. sig) Wolfgang

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
L

It would make sense if the socket phasing was the same as the plug on the cord supplying the power bar. TOP didn't do that.

RL

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required